IAWS invests in excellence

29 September, 2006

Page 4

Food group IAWS is to build a E180 million Centre of Excellence for in its Cuisine de France business in Clondalkin, County Dublin.

The purpose-built Centre of Excellence, at the Grange Castle Business Park, will generate 130 new jobs, and incorporate a research and development centre for concept and product development, a customer visitor centre, a training academy, a food manufacturing facility, as well as distribution and central management functions.The Centre of Excellence will be on a 23-acre site on the Business Park. Construction work will start shortly and is scheduled for completion by 2008.Hugo Kane, head of IAWS food group said: "This investment signals IAWS Group's intention to stay at the forefront of the food industry. We will continue to innovate in the fast- moving international 'food-to-go' sector. This new Centre of Excellence is a key part of this programme."
IAWS has reported pre-tax profits of E123.5m for the year to the end of July, up 14.6% on the previous year and ahead of expectations. The food division was the main growth area, with turnover up 15% to E975m and profits up 16% to E87.8m.